Government cyber tool blocks nearly 1bn attempts to access malicious sites
Image copyright Shutterstock
The Share and Defend service – developed by experts at NCSC – works to disrupt online crime by sharing near real-time data on known fraudulent and malicious websites with internet service providers, which can then prevent customers from clicking through.
Online content such as fake shops, phishing sites and malicious links, including from emails reported to the NCSC by the public, are being blocked automatically providing better protection at scale.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis announced the partnership in a keynote speech to the Cyber Resilience Summit 2025, hailing it as an example of government working with businesses to keep the country safe. The announcement comes as the government prepares to publish the National Cyber Action Plan in the New Year.
Speaking to the audience of business leaders in the City of London, the Security Minister said the National Cyber Action Plan will be a “business-first plan, written for businesses, written with businesses.”
He added that the government has already consulted 400 individual partners on the plan across business, critical national infrastructure and allied nations.
Dan Jarvis, Security Minister, said: “I am very pleased that the cutting-edge Share and Defend service has blocked almost a billion attempts to access malicious content.
“It shows we are making Britain a hard target for cyber criminals by protecting businesses and citizens on a daily basis.
“The government will continue to use technology and to build strong partnerships across industry to secure our nation against threats and boost economic growth.”
Dr Richard Horne, CEO of the National Cyber Security Centre, said: “At a time when we are all increasingly dependent on technology to run our lives, the NCSC’s Share and Defend service is helping to protect the British public at an unprecedented scale.
“As one of our Active Cyber Defence services, this capability demonstrates the impact that we can have when we intervene to block malicious activity, working alongside industry partners.
“Collaboration is essential for proactively countering the threat, and we look forward to extending the success of the programme driving up our national cyber resilience.”
Claire Gillies, CEO at BT Group’s Consumer Division said: “Our role as a founding partner of the Share and Defend programme aligns with the priority we put on protecting the UK.
“As cyber threats continue to grow for consumers and businesses across the country, today’s announcement demonstrates the value of strong, coordinated action. Ongoing collaboration between government and industry is essential to safeguard the UK’s digital landscape and ensure a safer online environment for all.”
Share and Defend partners also include the Cyber Defence Alliance, TalkTalk, PXC, Vodafone and Jisc, the UK’s National Research and Education Network Operator and the NCSC is looking to onboard new partners to extend the reach, so more citizens and businesses from across the UK can benefit from protection.
It support the Government’s work to step up cooperation with businesses to protect the public through the Stop! Think Fraud campaign at a time of year when more people are shopping online.
Individuals and organisations should remain alert to possible fraudulent or malicious websites. For guidance on how to spot scams, visit the NCSC website.
